On Tuesday (March 15), Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai informed the Lok Sabha that there has been a 77 per cent drop in the violence perpetrated by the Naxal or Left Wing Extremism (LWE) from an all-time high of 2,258 in 2009 to 509 in 2021 and the deaths of both civilians and security forces have also reduced by 85 per cent from an all-time high of 1,005 in 2010 to 147 in 2021.
The Minister informed the lower house that the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) districts, considered as LWE affected are being reviewed twice in the last four years and, “The districts reporting LWE violence also reduced from 96 (2010) to 46 (2021),” Rai said in the written reply.
The minister also informed that on the development front, the Modi government has implemented flagship schemes and has taken several specific initiatives in LWE affected states. Over the years the government has carried out the expansion of road networks, improving telecommunication connectivity, skilling, and financial inclusion.
Also, funds are provided to LWE affected States under the ‘Special Central Assistance (SCA)’ scheme to fill critical gaps in Public Infrastructure and Services in Most LWE affected districts. According to Rai, under SCA, Rs 2,423.24 crore has been released to the states in the last three years.
Also, 7,815 works have been completed in the time span and Rs 480 crore has been released in the current financial year.
“The steadfast implementation of the policy has resulted in a consistent decline in violence and constriction of geographical spread,” Rai mentioned.
The Minister also informed that efforts are being made to encourage Left Wing extremists to join the mainstream and states already have their own surrender cum rehabilitation policies which the Central Government supports and the ‘Surrender-cum Rehabilitation’ policy which is part of the Scheme reimburses the expenditure incurred by the LWE affected States on rehabilitation of surrenderees under the SRE scheme, said Rai.
“The rehabilitation package inter-alia, includes an immediate grant of Rs 5 lakhs for higher-ranked LWE cadres and Rs 2.5 lakhs for other LWE cadres. Also, “In addition provision also exists for imparting training in trade or vocation of their liking with a monthly stipend of Rs 6,000 for three years.”.
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